Marilee Crawford Scheer Fitzpatrick

January 16, 1932 — January 26, 2018

Marilee Crawford Scheer Fitzpatrick was born on January 16, 1932, and passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 26, 2018.

She was known for her infectious laugh, her love of music and family and for her prodigious drive to contribute and make a difference in her world.

Marilee was born to Charles and Viola Crawford in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and lived in Oregon her entire life.

After graduating from Klamath Falls High School, she studied music at Lewis and Clark College, where she met and married Dale Scheer. For 22 years, Marilee and Dale lived in Vale, Oregon, and had six children, five of whom survive her — Lorene and Steve of Portland, Mark and Bruce of Seattle and Shelley Lute of Happy Valley. Marna Lee died in infancy. She is also survived by her husband of 36 years, Michael Fitzpatrick.

Marilee finished her education as a single mother at Northwest Nazarene College and the University of Oregon, where she obtained advanced degrees in music and education.

She taught music in the Eugene and Greater Albany School Districts, and was appointed to be the last full time Music Administrator in the State of Oregon. She then served as principal of Millersburg and Periwinkle Elementary Schools.

Her lifetime awards for community service included being selected by the Albany Chamber of Commerce for the Jim Linhart First Citizen Award for outstanding service to the community of Albany, her appointment by Governor Vic Atiyeh to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practice Commission (TSPC) in 1983, and her selection by peers as Oregon’s “National Distinguished Principal” in 1987, for which she was honored as a guest at the White House.

Marilee retired in 1997, but remained professionally active by mentoring students and by continued service on the Oregon TSPC.

Marilee was inspirational in her passion for community engagement and helping others. She was active in the Rotary Club, library and school boards, bridge clubs, church, and student mentoring. She worked tirelessly to support underprivileged children and those who taught them.

Marilee was instrumental in keeping her large extended family connected. She and her siblings developed a legacy of family reunions, and Marilee continued that tradition with her own kids. Each year, she and her kids, 11 grandkids, one great-grandson, and other relatives spent a week laughing and playing together during the winter holidays in Sunriver. Marilee proudly attended the 34th consecutive Christmas Sunriver gathering shortly before she passed away.

She was a loving and generous soul, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on March 10, 2018, at Valley View Evangelical Church, 11501 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Marilee’s memory and follow her example by committing your time, energy and money in supporting young people in your lives to follow their passion. Alternatively, you might consider contributing to the Albany Public Schools Foundation scholarship fund set up in Marilee’s memory by her former coworkers. Please denote the “Ms Marilee Scholarship Fund” when donating at: http://albanypsf.org, to help further the educational pursuits of exemplary Albany students.

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